Mar 1, 2011

Big Thicket Trade Days--Kountze, Texas

This past weekend, after several months of considering it, we took the plunge and got a space at the Big Thicket Trade Days in Kountze. It was a very humble beginning as we didn't want to put a lot into tables, canopies, or the other things it takes to really do a space up right. We borrowed card tables, took one of our plastic shelves, loaded up several boxes of HodgePodge stuff and were on our way. We also took a few guitars, our one in-stock violin, a few straps, picks, and guitar stands from the music store.

I thought that overall it was a rewarding weekend. The weather was good. It was not too hot, or too cold. I got a little sun on Friday, but there was a nice north breeze and the temperature was okay. Saturday was overcast most of the day but again a nice day. Sunday was a blustery, windy day. This time it was a south wind. It did not rain though, just a little mist. We were not out there long on Sunday which was a good thing. We made some sales, but spent most of the time packing up the HodgePodge stuff.

Joe and Moe, our leprechaun windsocks, have a new home for this St. Paddy's Day. I put them in a small tree as eye catchers. Turns out someone wanted to buy them. Like Paul says, almost anything we have is for sale. ﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿

A collage of our space at the Kountze Trade Days in Feb.

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I brought along some of the Wilton cake pans that I have collected over the past few years. Not having any more room to display them, I spread them out on my tarp. As it turned out,the cake pans were our #1 selling item for the weekend. I even brought more with me Sunday afternoon and sold quite a few of those, too.

These are some of the cake pans I still have.You can see and buy them at Hazel's HodgePodge

If you like to learn more about Kountze and the Big Thicket Trade Days click here. And be sure to take a look at the video. This gives a good overview of the Trade Days.

I enjoyed people and pet watching myself. It is amazing how many people had their puppy dogs with them. Some were being pulled along by a large dog on a leash. Some were carrying small dogs. And I saw one man with an elaborate stroller with a cage on it and his little dog inside. Wish I had taken a picture of that!

You could even buy a dog there --or adopt a pet.

The advertising for the music store was worth the cost of the space. I figure we made a lot of contacts by having the guitars out there. We handed out a lot of business cards.

Yes, it was worthwhile endeavor! We will be better prepared in March and have more merchandise.

I have been thinking about getting a booth out there. I have started up a little Hand Made Jewelry and T-shirt Tote Bags. I just don't know if i would make a profit with all the other jewelry out there.

About Me

I am a Christian, a member of the church of Christ. I was baptized into the body of Christ and forgiven of my sins in 1972. I am the mother of 5 and "granny" to 8. I also have 3 step daughters and 4 step-grandsons. I sell on-line at Hazel's HodgePodge. My husband and I own and operate Mr. Bandman Music,a retail music store. I am also a private tutor. I specialize in remedial reading.